How to Transition into Fall with One Pair of Pants

Sure, it's only mid-August, but if you ask us, it's never too early to start thinking about what you'll be wearing come fall. But shopping for topcoats in 90-degree weather is crazy. That's why we suggest starting with something a little more transitional, like what actor and GQ hair champion Donald Glover is doing here. Corduroys are a perennial fall piece with their nubby texture and added visual depth. But in thin-wale cotton, they're also light enough to rock right now.

Glover nailed the fall-pants-in-summer move last night at an FX press-tour event in Beverly Hills. His styling said "summer nights," while the color palette and tobacco cords said "I'm just a touch ahead of the style curve"—seasonally speaking. See how he bookends the brown pants with a black tee and black loafers? Both give his overall look a dressed-up feel, but the relaxed fit of the tee holds it firmly in laid-back summer territory. And his choice to go sockless (is there any other choice here?) kept the look fresh and of the moment. Even though these are fall pants, there was absolutely no season pushing here. When shopping for a crisp new pair of cords, do like Glover and find some in an upgraded version of khaki. These in teddy bear brown will go with everything you're still wearing this summer and everything you'll want to wear this fall.

The actor has been knocking it out of the park on every red carpet recently, lending his keen sense of proportion and color tone to every fit. And his grooming, barely there stubble, and signature Dandy Wildman haircut offset the serious "fashuns" in all the right ways. If we're lucky, he's got a few more weeks of red carpet events to attend.

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